Young Souths duo sign new deals with the club

Both players were linked with potential departures away from the club but South Sydney Rabbitohs fans can rest easy, with talented young duo Alex Johnston and Cam McInnes both re-signing until the end of the 2017 season.

Since making his NRL debut on ANZAC Day last year, Johnston has played in 27 NRL games to date and has amassed 28 tries, a remarkable feat.

A junior from local club, the La Perouse Panthers, Johnston also made his Test debut in the recent ANZAC Test and is pleased to have his future sorted in Souths colours.

â€œIâ€™m really happy to have my future for the next few years sorted out and Iâ€™m even happier that the future is with Souths,â€ Johnston said.

â€œI love playing with this team, theyâ€™re my best mates, and playing for Souths is what Iâ€™ve always wanted to do.

â€œThe Club has looked after me and developed me through the grades, along with the guys at Souths Juniors, and Iâ€™m looking forward to working hard and repaying the faith they have shown in me over the years.â€

As for McInnes, the 21-year old has so far played in 12 NRL games after making his debut in Round five of last year.

For the young hooker, he said it has always been a dream to wear Souths colours and he wants that to continue moving forward.

â€œI could not be happier about re-signing with Souths. Itâ€™s a dream come true,â€ McInnes said.

â€œGrowing up playing for the Botany Rams, all we ever wanted to do was play for Souths, and to be able to represent the Club, the Members and the fans every week is something very special.

â€œIâ€™m really happy to have my future at the Club sorted out and Iâ€™m really looking forward to the hard work ahead to help the team achieve its goals.â€

Knowing how well both players have been performing, the club saw it as imperative to re-sign the duo, particularly with the bright futures that they have ahead of them.

â€œWeâ€™re absolutely delighted to be extending the contracts of both â€˜AJâ€™ and â€˜Camâ€™,â€ Coach Maguire said.

â€œIt’s always something special when you see Souths juniors coming through the ranks, and Iâ€™m really looking forward to working with both of them on a long term basis.

â€œBoth of them have worked very hard to achieve what they have so far, and we know they are capable of much more as their careers progress.

The club is confident that as both players gain more experience and become more mature, that they can take on greater roles within the club.

â€œBoth are young leaders amongst the playing group, and have served great apprenticeships in recent seasons under senior players like Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt and Issac Luke,” said Maguire.

â€œTheyâ€™re both ready to take on greater roles on field now and we couldnâ€™t be happier to have them commit to the Club long term.â€